SAUGATUCK PASSES ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW

During the evening of Aug. 27 the Saugatuck City Council unanimously passed a non-discrimination ordinance that gives full protections to GLBT people in housing, employment and public accommodations. This is significant because in the state of Michigan discrimination based on someone’s real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity is still legal. 
Saugatuck is a small city with a large GLBT community. The community has approximately 1,065 year-round residents and the number grows substantially in the summer. Last month Saugatuck Township passed a similar ordinance.
 
“Saugatuck is a very special place for the gay and lesbian community,” said Sean Kosofsky, Director of Policy for Triangle Foundation. “It is only fitting that a community with such a strong GLBT community and an international reputation for hospitality do all it can to protect people who live, shop and work there. The state legislature has failed to act on a statewide ban on anti-GLBT discrimination, so each move to protect our community by a municipality is a welcomed step."
 
“I am so proud of my fellow city leaders and of my community," said Mayor Tony Vettori. "Today Saugatuck joins the ranks of hundreds of other jurisdictions and companies across our country that understand and value diversity. Saugatuck is a place people come to relax, have fun and enjoy themselves and it is no place for legal discrimination." 
 
Saugatuck City Council is the sixteenth Michigan municipality to provide non-discrimination protections to GLBT citizens.